Christmas time is a cheery period for all, whether for the holidays or just school break. What better time than now to cosy up at home and watch a good movie? From heartwarming dramedies to fantasy tales, there is no shortage of good Christmas movies to watch.
We see your struggle, so we have compiled a list of five amazing Christmas movies to put you in a holiday cheer!
Here are five cult-classics and family favorites that really capture the spirit of the holiday.
1. While You Were Sleeping (1995)
Oh, the romance! Put your hands up if you are lonely during the holidays. Relatable. While You Were Sleeping (1995) is an emotional, feel-good, tugging-at-the-heart-strings kind of movie, which is perfect for a rainy December night.
Sandra Bullock stars as Lucy, a lonely fare collector in love with Peter, a regular train commuter whom she has never spoken to before. One Christmas day, a gang of muggers pushes him onto the train tracks and Lucy rescues him from the oncoming train, saving his life.
Peter is alive, but in a coma and nurses believe that Lucy is his fiancé.
What ensues is a tricky love triangle, a web of lies, and holiday cheer that can warm even the coldest of hearts. This one is for the lovebirds out there. Watch the trailer here.
2. Batman Returns (1992)
For die-hard Batman fans, let me reintroduce you to this classic. Arguably the best Batman movie in its franchise, Batman Returns (1992) stars Michael Keaton as the Dark Knight, Michelle Pfeiffer as Catwoman, and Danny DeVito as Penguin, among others – a stellar cast overall.
Batman Returns is set during the Christmas season, with action sequences featured within a frosted and gloomy Gotham City. This is Christmas without the cheesy melodrama.
Every actor here gives a performance worthy of an Oscar, but Michelle Pfeiffer steals every scene she is in.
From her demure Selina Kyle to kooky, sensual, and crazed Catwoman, she brings action and romance with the Dark Knight, perfect for those looking for Christmas hype – this movie has something for everyone. Watch the trailer here.
3. Gremlins (1984)
Where do I start? I watched this movie many years back and my heart still pounds when I think about it. A comedy-horror film, Gremlins (1984) follows a young man in search of a Christmas present for his son. He wanders into a Chinatown antique store and meets Gizmo, a small furry creature that steals the show in every frame.
There are just three rules to follow: do not expose him to sunlight or he dies, do not let him touch water, and never feed him after midnight, or bad, bad things will happen. You can probably guess what happens next.
The movie continues with evil versions of Gizmo spawning, known as “Gremlins”, with one Gremlin leader named “Stripe” leading the pack. These creatures are green, scaly, very ugly, and very violent. Gizmo is the true star for me. He works hard to save the day and win hearts, but not before the evil Gremlins wreak havoc over the town on Christmas Eve.
I never thought a fuzzy creature named Gizmo could bring tears to my eyes, but I have been proven very wrong. This film expertly blends comedy with horror, emotions with laughter. It’s a movie with light scare, heavy thrills, and a great watch overall. Watch the trailer here.
4. Miracle on 34th Street (1994)
This absolute classic follows a department store Santa who claims to be the real deal. His name is Mr. Kris Kringle, and his mission is to prove he is the real Santa so he is not committed to an insane asylum. Understandably, everyone thinks he is crazy.
This is an all-around feel-good film, perfect for the whole family, and one of those movies you can keep on in the background while bonding with close ones during the holidays. There are two versions of this film, the 1947 original and this 1994 remake.
Arguably, both are good. The former has a vintage charm that adds a level of intimacy that we crave this time of the year, and it’s a great opportunity to get into watching old-school classics, a unique addition to our generation’s watchlist. Give it a go, watch the trailer here.
5. The Nightmare before Christmas (1993)
If you have not seen this movie, you have at least heard of it, and for good reason. Tim Burton produced a true cult-classic with this film, merging stop-motion animation with a dark, musical fantasy. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) follows Jack Skellington, the King of “Halloween Town”, who chances upon “Christmas Town”. Vying for a little excitement, he schemes to take over this holiday, facing the viewer with the dilemma of continually rooting for this anti-hero.
Watch as Jack goes through his own moral tribulations, with fantastic music and beautifully animated visuals that captivate you as you follow along. Tim Burton never misses, and it is clear why this film is regarded as one of his best. Keep the whole family entertained with this classic. Watch the trailer here.
BUNDLE UP AND BINGE!
And there we have it – five fantastic Christmas movies to kickstart your holiday mood! If you are ever bored during this break, come back to this article, and indulge in a new film.
Christmas does not have to be all cheesy all the time. This list brings action, adventure, and horror to your screen this Christmas season, coupled with the almost-mandatory romance, of course. Have a good holiday, everyone!
